EPO: VICO Oppositions are Here to Stay
The EPO has decided, following completion of a pilot project, that from 1 January 2023 video conference (VICO) will be the default format for Oral proceedings in opposition. The practice of recent months and years is here to stay.
EPO to Abolish the 10-day Rule
The EPO has announced that it has updated its mailing period rules. The update will end the current mailing period arrangements with effect from 1 November 2023.
Could a grace period for patent filings be introduced into the EPC?
Any publicly available, enabling disclosure that occurs before the filing or priority date of a patent application before the European Patent Office (EPO) is currently novelty destroying (unless there has been a breach of confidence). A grace period in which a patent application can still be filed following a disclosure of the invention by the applicant itself exists in a number of countries but there is no equivalent provision in the European Patent Convention (EPC). In June 2022, the EPO released a report reviewing the impact that implementing a grace period in Europe would have for applicants. The purpose of the review was to provide an evidence-based assessment for the potential economic impact of the introduction of a grace period in Europe.
ST.26 – A new standard for sequence listings
A new global sequence listing standard came recently came into force, replacing the existing WIPO ST.25. As of 1 July 2022, sequence listings in all new PCT and national/regional applications must comply with ST.26.
Revolutionising the Electric Motorbike Market
Beck Greener Partner Jon Markham worked with Rob White, founder of White Motorcycle Concepts to create a patent application to cover an innovative aerodynamic concept. Rob’s idea was to create a ground-breaking aerodynamic motorcycle by opening up the bike with a channel of air flowing from the front to the rear of the bike, decreasing the drag and reducing CO2 emissions. This innovative aerodynamic concept is set to revolutionise the electric vehicle market.
IAM Patent 1000 ranks Beck Greener for patent prosecution
Beck Greener has been ranked by IAM Patent 1000 for patent prosecution in the IAM Patent 1000 listings for the second year running. This ranking from IAM Patent 1000 means that Beck Greener is highly praised by sources and amongst the most competitive in the field.
Boards of Appeal Diverge in Requiring Changes to Descriptions
A requirement of the EPO Guidelines for Examination (H-V, 2.7 and F-IV, 4.3(iii)) is that the description of a patent must be in conformity with the claims. During prosecution of an application, it is usual practice for the applicant to request that changes to the description only be made once the examiner has agreed to an allowed set of claims.
Chile and Cape Verde both join International Trade Mark System
Chile and Cape Verde deposited their instruments of accession to the Madrid Protocol with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva on 4 and 6 April 2022 respectively, meaning the Madrid System of International Trade Marks now covers 128 countries.
The IPEC drills Claydon on disclosure of an invention by prior use
This decision tests the general principle of UK patent law that if an invention is ‘seen’ before filing any patent application, it cannot be patented. It also demonstrates just how important it is to take extra care when testing invention prototypes in (or near) public spaces.
